Bar openings and events in NYC

Summer is finally here, so let's take it to the terrace and celebrate in style. All this week, Italicus is taking over the rooftop at Time Out Market New York for its Italicus Terrace Takeover. The Italian liqueur is painting the rooftop blue, bringing in its branded merch and shaking up classic cocktails made for sipping in the sun. Expect refreshing frozen cocktails, such as the frosé with rosé wine and peach and strawberry purée and the passion fruit margarita. There's even a frozen version of the espresso martini made with Italicus bergamot liqueur, blended with vodka, coffee liqueur and cold brew. Oh, and did we mention the boozy snow cones? The pop-up runs from Monday, June 9, to Monday, June 15. Grab a snow cone, soak up the sun and take in those sweeping city views.  

There are a lot of cocktail-making classes in New York, but Manhattan’s first legal distillery to open since Prohibition, Great Jones, does it just right. Set within its underground speakeasy, its two-hour class, The Shake Up, taught me how to make two actually-delicious cocktails with its smooth whiskey—but that’s not all. To start the class, we were whisked into the distillery where we had a quick tour and learned about the distilling process and the different kinds of whisky that are made on site—helping set the scene for the imbibing we were about to do below.  Once downstairs, we were immediately greeted with a Great Jones Straight Bourbon Smoked Old Fashioned (a welcome cocktail) and a solid charcuterie board (smoked almonds, marinated olives, dark chocolate coins, Jasper Hills Farm Alpha Tolman cheese, Jasper Hills Farms Moses, American Prosciutto and housemade sourdough crackers) at each table. To my surprise, we did a tasting of a few of the Great Jones Straight Bourbons, which already had me wondering how I’d get through making two cocktails. Our mixologist Ren took us step-by-step on how to make a Boulevardier and a Paper Plane, giving us tips and tricks along the way, including how to use (and open) a cocktail shaker and how to smoke one. The welcoming and cozy atmosphere helped me to relax and just learn, too, rather than being anxious about not being the best mixologist. I definitely made a few spills along the way, but I learned so much about why whiskey...

This spring, the New York Botanical Garden is bringing the works of Vincent van Gogh to life, recreating sculptural still lifes and even a themed drone show. Inspired by the artistry of it all, The Peninsula New York is hosting its own bit of magic in midtown. From now until May 31, the hotel will be hosting a special Van Gogh Floral Afternoon Tea in collaboration with NYBG. The hotel's bar and lounge, the Gotham Lounge, will be adorned with floral arrangements that channel Van Gogh's artistry. The food offerings follow suit as tiered trays of goodies include chocolate scones fashioned like paintbrushes; edible flower creations flavored with chocolate, honey sunflower and vanilla or custard cherry blossom; and savory "Potted Plants" of truffle dip, porcini soil and lemon. Pots of floral, premium teas will be available for the partaking, as well as glasses of The Peninsula's private-label Champagne. Plus, guests who book the experience will receive one ticket to the exhibit, on view from May 24 through October 26. The afternoon tea special will be offered from now until May 31, and will return from September 9 through October 26 to close out the exhibit. Reserve your tea time here.